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Black bear hit, killed on I-95 in Daytona Beach

Published: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 11:45 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 11:45 a.m.

A motorist driving a four-door Nissan hit and killed a Florida black bear Monday night on Interstate 95, state officials said, but the driver was not injured.

The bear was hit in the southbound lanes of the interstate, just north of the LPGA Boulevard overpass in Daytona Beach, said officials with the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

It was at least the 12th bear killed on Volusia roadways this year. Between Jan. 1 and July 31, the most recent data available, 11 black bears were hit in Volusia. Hill said no bears were hit in Flagler County.

For weeks, the commission has reported the bears are very active, taking advantage of a plentiful acorn and berry crop to fatten up for winter. In the fall, bears may consume up to three times their normal amount of food, and biologists say bears can be single-minded in their pursuit of more food.

State officials said the number of calls about roaming black bears has broken records every month since the spring.

<p>A motorist driving a four-door Nissan hit and killed a Florida black bear Monday night on Interstate 95, state officials said, but the driver was not injured. </p><p>The bear was hit in the southbound lanes of the interstate, just north of the LPGA Boulevard overpass in Daytona Beach, said officials with the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. </p><p>The bear reportedly weighed 200-300 pounds, said Joy Hill, spokeswoman for the wildlife commission. </p><p>It was at least the 12th bear killed on Volusia roadways this year. Between Jan. 1 and July 31, the most recent data available, 11 black bears were hit in Volusia. Hill said no bears were hit in Flagler County. </p><p>For weeks, the commission has reported the bears are very active, taking advantage of a plentiful acorn and berry crop to fatten up for winter. In the fall, bears may consume up to three times their normal amount of food, and biologists say bears can be single-minded in their pursuit of more food. </p><p>State officials said the number of calls about roaming black bears has broken records every month since the spring. </p><p><i>-- Staff Writers Lyda Longa and Dinah Voyles Pulver</i></p>